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Yolanda Willett Sonely began her earthly journey on December 7, 1971 in Clarksdale, Mississippi as the eldest daughter of proud parents Wille and Betty J. Sonley. Yolanda knew the Lord and accepted Christ at Bell Grove Baptist Church.
A 1990 graduate of Clarksdale High School, Yolanda was a lifelong student who was in pursuit of a master’s degree at Delta State University, Cleveland, Mississippi after receiving an Associate of Arts degree from Coahoma Community College in 1997 and a Bachelor of Science degree in Professional Leadership from Southwestern Christian University Bethany, Oklahoma in December of 2018.
Yolanda Sonley was a devoted mother to her two boys, Delvin Christopher Shomar Sonley and Orlandis Roycale Sonley. Creating a home and warm caring lifestyle for her kids and herself was a first priority in her life. She has always communicated that being a single parent was not easy, and how amazing it still was to watch her boys becoming young men. She was obviously grateful to God for the moments that they shared; and would have definitely wanted more time with her boys and family.
Yolanda’s dynamic personality made her a natural salesperson and a perfect fit for her positions with Queen City Furniture, Double Quick, Magnolia Furniture, and Dollar General. A master of customer service, she especially enjoyed being a Hotel Supervisor for Goldstrike Casino in Robinsonville, Mississippi. However, Yolanda’s true calling was most demonstrated by her passion and compassion for people and her community. As a Geriatrics Community Educator for Inspirations Clarksdale, Mississippi she proved herself to be a true friend to the elderly. So much so that long after that position ended, she often volunteered to help seniors throughout Clarksdale get needed resources. As a regular volunteer at Federation Towers, she assisted with many holiday events and helped setup healthcare wellness meetings and facilitated educational programs. In addition to her dedication to seniors, Yolanda was served people of all ages. Her position with Dr. Benjamin L. Hooks Job Corps/Minact, Inc. as a Senior Lead Admissions Counselor allowed her to help youth become viable members of society and her final position with Aaron E Henry Community Health Services Center allowed her to serve some of our most vulnerable.
Visitation will be Thursday March 4, 2021 at Royal Funeral Home from 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM. The Celebration of Life will be Friday March 5, 2021, 1:00 PM , at Union Grove M.B. Church. Rev. Matthew Terrell, pastor of Bell Grove M.B. Church is officiating. Rev. L.C. Tyler II is pastor. The interment will follow at McLaurin Memorial Gardens Cemetery.
Yolanda was preceded in death by Willie Sonley Sr, Willie Sonley JR., Georgia Sonley, Marie G. Williams, and Ca’stancia Sonley.
Cherishing her memories is her mother Betty Jean Sonley; sons; Delvin Christopher Shomar Sonley and Orlandis Lerory Sonley, of Clarksdale MS ; siblings Willie Sonley, of Sherman Oaks, CA. , Yolanda Willette Sonley and Joyce Marie Sonley-Byest all of Clarksdale, MS; nieces: Mikkayla Marissa Byest and Savanna R. Sonley of Sherman Oaks, CA; uncles and aunts: W.T. Sonley (Peggy) of Clear Lake, CA and Leroy Sonley (Rosie), Delores S. Maiden-Harris (Larry) both of Clarksdale, MS; cousins: Tawanda Mullins Sonley of Olive Branch, Dewayne Williams of Houston, TX, Tamara W. Hemphill (Hakim) of Charlotte, NC, Samuel D. Williams Jr. of Columbus, OH, Shelisa Williams of Columbus, OH, Kerry Jr. Kurkendall of Homewood, IL, and Teresa Wyatt of Springfield, IL. She also leaves a host of nieces, nephews, aunts, cousins, and countless other friends and family members whom were all blessed to have known her.
Yolanda Sonley, a.k.a, YOYO, nicked named by her mother; Betty J. Sonley. Yoyo has always loved and shared time with her friends just to name a few: Lisa Campbell; she often had nice things to say about Lisa, a.k.a bestie. Yolanda loved life abundantly. Lisa and Yolanda would often go out, always eating out at restaurants. Lisa was more like an outgoing sister to Yoyo. They would work together on different functions. Yoyo will always be missed by her bestfriend She also leaves behind a best friend, Mark Vortice, her boss. They did not have the normal boss, employee relationship. He was very supportive of Yoyo’s health. He was very compassionate, she would say he was the “World’s Greatest Boss”. Yoyo leaves behind many other close friends who will miss her dearly.